Ocean Champions is the only political voice for ocean health. We take a non-partisan approach in working with
the U.S. Congress to ensure ocean health through electoral and legislative action.

Ocean Champions Endorses Mark Begich of Alaska & Frank Kratovil of Maryland

This week, we announced our endorsement of Mark Begich (D-AK), senate candidate for Alaska, and Frank Kratovil (D-MD), house candidate for Maryland.

Begich, a native son and the mayor of Anchorage, Mark understands that Alaska is “ground zero for the impacts of climate change” and that leadership is about creating, not pocketing change. As mayor he has worked to reduce emissions, and make Anchorage a more energy efficient city while also working with international winter cities to “address climate change.” As Anchorage's mayor, Begich invested $10 million to remove barriers to fish passage, maintain and restore riparian habitats, and increase public involvement in salmon and watershed stewardship in the state's largest city.

Kratovil, the State's Attorney for Queen Anne's County, has made support for the Chesapeake Bay one of the cornerstones of his campaign while his opponent Andy Harris makes no mention of this important part of Maryland's ecosystem. Frank Kratovil has pledged to support the Clean Water Restoration Act, resisted the pressure to support expanded offshore driling in presently off-limits areas, supports a moratorium on menhaden fishing off the Atlantic coast - restoring the population of this critical filter fish in the Chesapeake Bay, and he will fight for increased funding to help farmers make the switch to the best environmental practices - to reduce the nutrient pollution devastating the Chesapeake Bay.

25 August 2008, 6:00 pm